2009 is upon us, and video games are a bigger cultural phenomenon than ever. Are you looking to join the party? In the coming days we're going to look at each of the three big consoles — the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii —and help you make an informed decision about where to spend your cash. Sure, there are obsessive fanatics out there who buy all three consoles just to be safe, but let's try to be sane here! We're starting out with the PS3. Is the high definition beast from the former champion the best choice for the upscale and savvy consumer, or is it too late for this underdog to catch on?
Analysts and journalists predicted months ago that if you invested in Sony's PlayStation 3 game console, 2008 would be the year you'd be rewarded. For a while, it looked like they might be right, but an article in the Wall Street Journal shows that the economic recession damaged hopes of a comeback for the struggling console. During the holiday season, the PS3 was badly outsold by both Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii, which are significantly cheaper up front.
U.S. sales of the PS3 were 19% lower this season than they were the same time last year, while the Wii doubled its sales and the Xbox 360 saw a modest increase of 9%.
You might not take sales figures into account when deciding whether or not to purchase a console, but to be honest, you should. When they have limited resources (and they usually do), people who make games often choose to emphasize the consoles that have the most users. Since programming for the PS3 works differently than for the Xbox 360, more people are needed to get everything done for both consoles. In many cases, the console with the smallest number of owners will get a slightly inferior version of the game because the other platform is the priority for the team. Sometimes a developer with very limited resources might get the 360 version out the door first to make sure money is coming in, then release the PS3 one as much as a year later. Or it might not release a PS3 version at all.
The figures above are from VGChartz.com, which is not completely scientific, but the numbers are fair estimates. There's tragedy in this narrative. For years, Sony's PlayStation 2 dominated the hearts, minds, and wallets of consumers everywhere. The competing Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo GameCube consoles struggled to stay visible in the shadow of its popularity. Apart from that success, though, Sony's prominence as an electronics company had been sliding in recent years. The PlayStation brand became its crown jewel.
But when the PS3 came out to compete with the Xbox 360, its steep price (due to the inclusion of a Blu-ray player, a feature many people didn't yet understand or want) and disasterous PR problems led to a much slower start than was expected. Post-launch, Sony failed to emphasize the console's biggest success — highly original indie and casual games available on the PlayStation Network service. Such affordable and widely accessible games played a part in the PS2's success, but Sony instead persisted in a strategy to beat Microsoft at attracting hardcore gamers who like to compete online, despite the PS3's inferior social tools.
While the PS3 is struggling, you don't have to write it off completely. There are a handful of games available that you won't find anywhere else. LittleBigPlanet is the most notable. It's a family-friendly experience that captures a spirit of creativity and community not found in any other console game. As mentioned, the PlayStation Network features a wide variety of exclusive and engaging indie titles like PixelJunk Eden, fl0w, and The Last Man. Big budget exclusives like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and next year's God of War 3 bring a bit of big-screen showmanship to the table. If you also want a Blu-ray player, and you want to play some of the hottest hardcore titles like Grand Theft Auto IV, BioShock, Resident Evil 5, and Final Fantasy XIII but aren't interested in online features or bothered by release delays, the PS3 could be attractive as the sole console in your home.
The Playstation Network also offers digital movie rentals and purchases — including a large high definition selection — but so does the Xbox 360, which also streams movies from wildly popular video rental service Netflix. As predicted, the attraction of the PS3 depends quite a bit on whether or not you want a good Blu-ray player to go along with your video gaming. Blu-ray's victory over the competing HD-DVD format this past Spring was one of the reasons people predicted that 2008 would be "the year of the PS3," but the economic crisis has slowed interest in high definition.
It's become clear at this point that the Xbox 360 is the console of choice for the traditional hardcore gamer crowd, and the Wii is popular with folks for whom games are just a casual interest, more about simple fun than impressive technology or artistic achievement. That doesn't leave much room for the PS3, so it's in an awkward position somewhere in the middle. It's too expensive for the casual crowd, and its lack of emphasis on online play makes it seem second rate to the gaming subculture. But if you're looking for a Blu-ray player, a solitary gaming experience, and a few quirky, off-the-beaten-path indie games here and there, you shouldn't be scared to pick the PS3 up. It's just that the sales figures mean there aren't as many folks like you out there!
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Comments (39)
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Ryan Carter
(3:28 PM on Mon Dec 29, 2008)
PS3 is a feat in technology maybe, but it is not what people want, obviously the 2 consoles to watch are the XBOX line and Wii. PS3 is and always has been a wannabe. It is too expensive and only a few elitist gamers will buy it. With everyone worried about hard times in the economy, the PS3 is not a good buy.
BISH (9:11 AM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
Funny you say it the PS3 is a wannabe, we could look at Xbox's new dashboard and make WANNA be comparisons there.... Regardless, I believe that the analysts jumped onto the 2008 train a bit early. While the PS3 has many features to offer, there would still be time to be invested from the developers. We will see a shift in the market come 2009. Sony has dropped manufacturing prices by 35% to start off the new year, this should be followed by an early price cut. With Killzone 2, God of War 3, Drakes Fortune 2, and the best race simulator to date Grand Turismo 5 all slated to release this year Sony stands to make up ground if not pass. Xbox has a wonderful line up of games, and phenomenal price point, however you'll be hard pressed when your console dies on you due to poor manufacturing. Remember Microsoft had aprox. 50+% of dead hardware coming off the line when manufacturing first started to run, and with a failure rate of still over 30% things don't look much better. The Wii, cute little machine, and I applaud Nintendo for saving their company by extending the market niche. However these are people who may not play games for long, Grandma may die, Mom may be looking for a second job. This may be curbed for your average family seeing as though Nintendo Wii games hit the bargain bin 57% faster than any other console, due to, well... mostly crap games. Keep in mind with fingers crossed, we will see the start of 3D gaming this year on PS3 and that may just curb the wand fad.
Anonymous (10:24 AM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
All you need to know about why the PS3 is in third place is one thing: $399. With an Xbox 360 Arcade selling for $199 and the Wii for $249, there's NO WAY the PS3 is positioned as a desirable product.
Dave
(3:16 PM on Mon Dec 29, 2008)
Yeah, but um, my wife was all for the Wii and would never allow one of the other next-gen consoles in the living room. Now I can play Guitar Hero and Madden to my delight with less guilt.
David
(8:58 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
PS3 has sold 18 million units in its firts two years, with an expensive price and strong adversaries like Microsoft and Nintendo.
Xbox 360 has sold 16 million units in its firts two years, with a much lower price and no adversaries at all in the first year (2005).
So, which one is doing better?
PS3 has a built-in Blu-ray player, built-in wii fi, full HD graphics and sounds with HDMI 1.3, some of the best games of this generation (with A LOT of great games coming in 2009, in front of a lack of good games for Xbox 360 next year). It can also be used for browsing the internet. Optionally, you can install Linux and use your PS3 as a true PC. All of this features are FREE. They're included in the 399 $. You don't have to pay a single cent (except for the games and the movies, of course), and you have the best console of this generation from a multimedial standpoint.
Xbox 360 can barely read DVDs (when it not scratches them... are you aware of this problem?), cannot play Blu-rays, doesn't allow you to browse the net, requires an annual fee of 50 $ and an expensive external hard disk to properly access the internet functionalities of the machine, doesn't have wii-fi (you can buy it for 70 $... nice, right?), doesn't have true HD (it has HDMI 1.2, wich translates in less-quality sound)... and has a HUGE failure rate that makes the console COMPLETELY useless after the 3-years warranty expires (never heard of the infamous Red Ring of Death? Try to search on Google and YouTube, you'll see).
The Wii has last-gen graphics, no HD and cannot even play normal DVDs (except for the games). It's an old-technology machines. The games are for the most party horrible, except for the kids and the families.
So, a savvy consumer will NEVER buy an Xbox 360 (altough he profoundly loves some of its exclusive games... wich, for the most part, can be played on PC also), and will buy a Wii ONLY if it's a gift for his kids an he's not interested in high definition. EVERYONE ELSE, should buy a PS3, because it's BY FAR the best console on the market today.
Yes, I know, its price is high. Maybe too high, given the state of the economy. But it's worth every single cent and offers you things that no other console has.
So, if you think that 399 $ are too much, just leave the console on the shelf: someone will buy it. But to say that the PS3 is selling less than its competitors and write an article like this, so full of mistakes... it's a shame.
Don't get brainwashed people, think with your own mind and do research in first person instead of believing this lame articles.
itchy18 (9:46 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
the guy who wrote this s*cks. lol
izzie (10:22 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
there is NO mention of metal gear solid 4 in this article as an attractive exclusive only on the PS3. how can you not acknowledge a game that pushed hundreds of thousands of bundles during the months of june and july and has sold nearly 4 million copies in half a year???? and i quote:
"There are a handful of games available that you won't find anywhere else. LittleBigPlanet is the most notable."
To the author of this article please stop misleading and misinforming potential PS3 buyers.
Gab (11:17 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
QUOTE
"But if you're looking for a Blu-ray player, a solitary gaming experience, and a few quirky, off-the-beaten-path indie games here and there, you shouldn't be scared to pick the PS3 up. It's just that the sales figures mean there aren't as many folks like you out there!"
Just thought I'd throw in the fact that you are causing a domino affect with this very article. Maybe if the media wasn't always so negative about sony because of the expectations based off of the ps2 (which is arguably the best video game system of all time) they might be able to see the occasional good thing.
"Big budget exclusives like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and next year's God of War 3 bring a bit of big-screen showmanship to the table"
Sorry this article is a little silly. A bit? God of War 3 is likely to be bigger than any game released this generation in terms of big-screen showmanship. If not it would only be second to MGS4 or KZ2 and guess what? All are ps3 exclusives. The only game that comes semi close to those games is the 10 hour gears of war 2 which was the only blockbuster title xbox had in 2008 and its multiplayer is broken right now so that pretty much lays waste to your whole online is better on xbox argument.
Sorry if I over reacted but this article just isn't factual enough. It's like it's legit news and you think everythings spot on but really there is so much more to this subject and half of this article is just an oppinion
Gab (11:03 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
touche BISH that was a really good comment. I think you're right seeing as ps3 not only will have a $50-100 price cut soon but it has more games exclusive to it than any other system in 2009 by an even wider margin than in 2008 which software-wise was a great year. The price cut really is the missing link. That along with games that prove it is the most powerful console on the market like killzone 2 and GT5 along with the much needed updates to home is a sure win. Looking forward to ratchet 2 as well.
Remember whoever wote this... ps3 was outselling xbox the majority of the year not just worldwide but based on NPD as well(at a higher price point) up until the price cut on xbox. Xbox only surpassed it in holiday sales and only by alot in NA. I won't factor wii into this because it basically owns some other market and i don't consider it a video game console. Maybe if they come out with a few games... I can forgive them for the horrible graphics.
Chris Wanker (5:59 AM on Wed Dec 31, 2008)
The Internet will kill the PS3 faster than its price, BluRay, and poor PR.
Dion (2:52 AM on Wed Dec 31, 2008)
For people with the money, the PS3 is the console of choice, just look at the 2009 line-up and tell me what Xbox 360 exclusives are as big as the PS3 exclusives like Killzone 2, God of War 3, Gran Turismo 5... need I go on? Those 3 titles already kill the Xbox 360 next year!
solid duck (1:55 AM on Wed Dec 31, 2008)
its all about games. the ps3 has 4 times as many exclusive games for 2009 than the 360. plus blu ray, free underrated online play, built in wifi, and a likely price drop, u would have to be an idiot to buy a 360 over a ps3 at this point.
Lastlivingsoul (1:50 AM on Wed Dec 31, 2008)
As an owner of all 3 consoles, PS3 is easily better than both 360 and wii. Wii...is great for if you have a bunch of people over, but sucks otherwise.360 is great if you are between the ages of 10 to 16 or really enjoy Vin Deisel movies and Nickelback. 360 has about...2 good exclusives Gears of War franchise, and Mass Effect. In every other department (online included) sony dominates in every conceivable way. It's because of moronic articles like this that people continue to ignore what is (in my humble opinion) the greatest video game console ever released. PS3 offers LittlebigPlanet, Metal Gear, Uncharted, Resistance, Buzz Quiz TV, the only Naruto game that matters; the best selection of downloaded titles, BLU-RAY, every feature of XBox and Wii for less money. Soon there will be Killzone 2, InFamous, Heavy Rain, God of War 3, a new Twisted Metal, White Knight Chronicles, MAG, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, Gran Turismo 5, ICO 3, Uncharted 2, LA Noire, and WarDevil. And if you have half a quarter of a brain and the desire to make it happen Netflix and every other online Movie/tv service imaginable. Not to mention it won't quit working like my xbox, and won't sit unplayed for weeks at a time like my Wii. Does that sound biased? So does this garbage article. You know what buy a 360, you deserve it.
Anonymous (1:25 AM on Wed Dec 31, 2008)
wow PS3 fanboys, touchy much? unless an article says "PS3 is god's gift to mankind and will bring about world peace" you take it as "oh noes another PS3 hater lolzzz" did you even actually read this article?
BigRiz (11:30 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
@DAVID -- Thank you!
People need to realize that the 360 was out more than a year before the PS3 and when compared stage for stage, the PS3 is out performing the 360, and has a greater life span. Relax people, we are barely going into year 3. The progression of the games from year 1 to year 2 was amazing, and I can't wait to see how they progress going forward. Yes, some of the services--Home--are not that great, but give the services time to mature. For the money, the PS3 is a much more attractive purchase for the savvy consumer.
chirstian (10:46 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
what the xbox is smoke and mirrors -yeah yeah price cut-ps3 is to expensive-microsoft has always been a company that distracts and blindsides you with excessive add ons and faulty products -rrod anyone-if anyone can truly add i invite to take into account that that the console plus wifi adapter and hdmi cable and live cost is more than what you can get ps3 for-price cut my a?s-wake up people they are a software company which is why there hardware is garbage-and just wait after you shell out all that money to get a 360 they will get you to spend more money on the next xbox while the ps3 is still going strong
Anonymous (4:46 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
@BISH
Don't worry, Ryan seems to be new to the industry judging by his ignorance. Just wiki the Playstation history and you'll get an idea which console is the "wannabe.
Anonymous (9:43 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
I dont think I even have anything to say about that last comment besides... correct and true period
Anonymous (9:45 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
BISH
I wanna know how all you dam PS3 Fanboys all say God of War 3 is being released in 2009
Where is the proof, show it to me.
For Gods sake I have a PS3 and people like you make me wanna return it
Anonymous (9:47 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
I own all three systems this generation and I can honestly say, the PS3 is by far the best of all three. Between the gaming, Blu-ray movies, free online play, and Internet browsing from my living room, no other system even comes close.
The Wii is strictly for party games or kids. I have personally had three Xbox 360's fail on me (on my fourth) and now that my warranty has expired I feel extremely uncomfortable with it. The PS3 on the other hand has been extremely solid and has done everything it advertised it would without a hiccup.
If you are a true gamer planning to take advantage of high definition and analyze the actual costs involved across all systems, you'll find the PS3 to be an exceptional value.
If you can buy only one, I'd recommend the PS3. If you just love playing games and don't want to miss any of them, then do what I did and get all three so you never have to miss a thing.
J Pimp (10:04 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
WTF is it w/ these web sites jumping on the PS3 hate bandwagon. A bit of a history lesson for these retards writing these BS articles, do u remember the Dreamcast wich came out a year earlier had a stellar lineup of games was cheaper had a higher install base, then all of sudden a sudden PS2 was announced w/ DVD, USB ports etc. Every Dreamcast fanatic was talking shit about PS2 wich kind of reminds me of the 360 fans when Ps3 was announced, maybe its because its the same dumb asses w/ a 360 this time around but this time around since its MS its ok because they have deep pockets but what good r deep pockets for when u r not using that $ to bring sumthin new n fresh to da table instead using it to make games multiplat or exclusive DL content just to hide the fact that Blu-ray is not needed for HD gaming cause they wanna push digital distribution ask the developers of killzone, MGS 4, Uncharted if their games r possible n the 360 n their answer might just be no. Ignorance is bliss.
Anonymous (10:30 PM on Tue Dec 30, 2008)
oh wow how many "ps3 is failing" articles am i gonna have to read today? Its like they completely forget how it outsold xbox all year up til november. It did have a better line up of games. but apparently this means nothing. Personally there isnt much sense in buying a 360. I'd be too afraid it break i dont like paying for online and the only good games on it are gears and fable. halo's dead and odst will not bring it back. though it was fun playing it my friends house.
Patrick
(11:00 AM on Wed Dec 31, 2008)
infamous,Heavy Rain,Yakuza 3 three more Hard hitters
Patrick
(10:50 AM on Wed Dec 31, 2008)
I only have one thing to say and it is this Sony wins 2009 and the rest of this Console War. It's as basic as this when it comes to games people think Sony and before you say look at the sells read this, PS3 at 18Mil Xbox at 22Mil Wii at 34Mil, Years old, (PS3 2y) (Xbox360 3 1/2) (Wii 2y). Grafix and Potential, (PS3) TakingOver and improving fast (Xbox360) MAXOUT just look at Gears1 then 2, they look and play the same only difference is brightness (Wii) Dead Tec no games but remakes just terrible, but good for kids. 2009 lineup exclusives (PS3) KillZone2,Uncharded 2,God of War 3,FFVersus XIII Dark Cloud,Rogue Galaxy 2,ICO Teams game,MAG,Jeffys Bs Game Twisted Metal Yes : ),Gran Turismo 5,WhiteNightChronicles,Demon Souls, and more all (HeavyHeavyWeight) Hitters. (Xbox360) AlanWake,HaloWars,and thats all the LightWeight Hitters, LOL!!! (Wii) LOL who cares. Heres the wrap up from 2005 to 2008 it was all about the cheapest system you could get but in 2009 with the PS3 bringin all it's PS2 games out it's GAMEOVER
Joe (1:09 PM on Wed Dec 31, 2008)
Come on man... Thats total nonsense and you don't even know what you are talking about. If you want to be a true game journalist then please for the sack of your own morality and your bread and butter, explain to your readers every feature and potential of every component on PS3...
I don't even want to argue or reason with all that nonsense that you've put up here. If you don't know about the system or don't like it then why write about it and misdirect and misguide your readers at all???
Anonymous (3:27 PM on Wed Dec 31, 2008)
When the Red ring of death was hitting the 360 hard, we saw 3 new articles about it a day. No one complained, MS had it coming.
Now the PS3 is failing and we are seeing lots of articles about it. Why are PS3 fanboys so whiny, Sony over promised and under delivered with that turd of a bluray player, and now people are buying the real gaming machines instead, deal with it.
frances (11:31 PM on Wed Dec 31, 2008)
It's simple. If you own a 360 do you wanna 'upgrade' to a PS3 which is a more reliable gaming/bluray machine with free online gaming and move forward to hi-def and more exclusives in 2009. Or if you own a PS3 do you want to 'downgrade' to a 360 with less reliable hardcore gaming/dvd machine and be charged for online gaming and sod all exclusives for 2009. Then the knowledge that 360 might have peaked in performance and won't last till 2010 or buy a PS3 for longhaul that you can still be playing until 2016? If you're sitting on the fence work out how much it costs to buy a 360 or PS3 with at least 40gig harddrive, wi-fi, potential hi-def movie player and online gaming will cost you say for next 3 years. I'll be honest... PS3 is the way to go.
Anonymous (12:00 AM on Thu Jan 1, 2009)
I will try and take as unbiased a view as possible to this article. First, is it appropriate to refer to multiplatform owners as obsessive fanatics? I will concede to general public consensus that the PS3 is not at a mass adoption price point. In any economy price is paramount to innovation and brand loyalty at the mass market level. Therefore the Wii and the X360 are well positioned at their current prices.
I do take issue with every other point made. I will not address them individually but in summary this ??composition?? looks, tastes and smells like all the other articles within the last 2 months. The information presented is as skewed and misrepresented as the first CNN article. There is no need to spell doom and gloom. I am a videogame fan and I choose to hold an optimistic view of the industry. I own the PS3 and X360 and hope they last as long as they can because one without the other would lead to an industry without innovation or risk.
PABADAMUS
Anonymous (2:10 PM on Fri Jan 2, 2009)
Ever thought that people are buying the consoles based on the games rather than "OMFG I WANT IT TO HAVE ___"
Seriously all the ps3 fanboys banging on "buhbuhbuh god of war is an exclusive ps3 ftw!" have you ever thought that these games aren't appealing to everyone?
Why do people even care about the sales figures so long as the consoles aren't selling drastically less than the others and likely be dropped? It's like some massive epeen contest of "the console that i bought is better than the one you bought haha"
unless you're all trolls in which case i guess you got me
Anonymous (8:52 PM on Mon Jan 5, 2009)
for the last 2-3 years at X-mas i have always gotten enough money to buy a PS3 and each year i dont because i decide to funnel it into my 360 and the 360 has a good lineup with fallout/fable/halo/GTA DLC, halo wars, halo3:ODST,red faction guerilla , and a personal favorite operation flashpoint 2
GT 5 and GoW 3 maybe 2010 and it a wellknoen fact that heavy rain will never come out and even if it did the only thing going for it are it's looks
Tony (11:51 AM on Mon Jan 12, 2009)
The PS3 is the best machine out there for hardcore gamers, in my personal opinion. With such amazing exclusive games still to come in the next year or so (e.g., Killzone 2, Heavy Rain, Ucharted 2, InFamous, and God of War 3, and many more), I don't see how any TRUE gamer who would want to describe himself as hardcore would want to miss out. Clearly, in my view, the only reason the PS3 is trailing in total units sold is because it is still being sold at too high of a price point for mainstream, mass consumer adoption (the softcore gaming crowd).
To the poser above, Heavy Rain is a great title that ISN'T just a technical showcase for graphics. It's being developed by the some people who created the very popular and well-liked Indigo Prophecy,
Anonymous (3:18 PM on Wed Jan 14, 2009)
I have never enjoyed a game system as much as the PS3. It has the power to last another five years and will eventually win the war over 360.
Anonymous (12:06 PM on Sat Jan 24, 2009)
It is fairly sad and quite frankly childish the way that owners of both systems are adopting this 'mine is bigger then yours' attitude that is making you all look like idiots and just proves that these companies have these people under the thumb.
What has happened to gaming?
The social concept and fun factor with todays games for me has gone out the window.
The implementation of online gaming has transformed the would be fun games into robotic, conformist, habitual routine based slugfests controlled by obcessive complusive egotistical players ala pixels. (Halo 3, Gears of War, Metal Gear Online. Being some examples)
It seems the majority (more youthful) of gamers buy games not for the satisfaction of playing the game but just to have the satisfaction of knowing the 'rival' console doesn't have this game, it's sad.
Get a grip boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, and realise how your acting.
Back to the matter at hand.
I've owned both consoles also, and I have enjoyed titles brought out by both companies and have had no problems hardware wise with either console.
I'm quite impulsive. One day when I was playing Gears 2 on my xbox I just decided that I didn't want it anymore, I wanted a PS3 instead. I did this entirely on instinct and feeling as i'm a big believer in them, without knowing about any future games for release ect ect.
So I packed up the xbox and traded it in towards a PS3.
When I unpacked it I just got this sense of far more quality and sturdyness from it, plus the wi-fi wireless stuff and rechargeable pads are a plus, granted I couldn't give a donkeys about Blu-Ray compared to the 360.
And I couldn't be happier that I made this choice now. I get a feel of longevity and quality from the console more so then the 360 and Sony are not afraid to get their feet wet with game titles that have character and charm and most importantly...FUN!
Sadly the 360 for me has just gone too mainstream bringing out shooter after shooter after shooter which is a big put off for me now, same concept, just more polished graphics.
In the long term for me I believe the PS3 will emerge the stronger console in the end. But I hope it doesn't also. And that people will just buy a console with the games that appeal to them and stop this pointless bickering
Anonymous (2:14 PM on Mon Feb 2, 2009)
Although I have to admit the PS3 is nice, "nice" is not a selling point on such a pricey item and ultimately Sony has stagnated their own potential buyers interest by pricing it like a PC which you can't upgrade. Sure, exclusives are nice, but they are only (at worst) next decades bargain bin console and exclusive that I could get for under £100 for the bundle. I prefer to stick to a PC I can keep upgrading and both Wii/Xbox as they are cheap enough now.
Anonymous (2:26 PM on Wed Feb 4, 2009)
i believe current trends will continue to make the PS3 struggle for the next year , 2009 will be the year the PS3 fails or proves itself. Right now i see mixed signals from Sony, they want success but refuse to go after it.
As someone that owes a PS3 , i can say i am happy with the machine, if tommorrow Sony wasn't here anymore, i woudl still have a decent collection of games to play, not to mention the backwards compability (which my system has) to work through eventually.
I gave up on the fanboy level of comments a while ago.
I just want people to have fun , if you like your Wii, go play with it , same for the 360 or PS3.
I think all 3 companies have a niche they fall into , and each does it well. So go and play and have fun.
Anonymous (5:20 AM on Sun Feb 15, 2009)
I find it interesting. This article was biased. I don't own any of the newer consoles. Can't afford them. I have played all of them though. I personally would love to own a PS3 and a Wii. The only reason I would buy an X-Box 360 would be for Fable 2. It costs too much to get it close to the level of the PS3. (all the accessories = $$$$$$) I also find it interesting that so many of you haven't seen what is coming this year exclusively for the Wii for the Hardcore gamers. So, don't just drop it to the side when it is still in it's youth, like the PS3. The X-Box 360 aged too quickly and is showing signs of dieing, no pun intended.
Just look forward to E3 and PAX this year and see what they all have in store.
Anonymous (7:43 PM on Sun Mar 15, 2009)
The PS3 had so much potential, but for a while, not even Sony was able to use it well. After initial release, everything started getting botched up. As 360 introduced awesome triple A titles, PS3 was trying to find its bearings. It took too long. Most hardcore gamers moved onto 360, all casual gamers chose Wii. It's too late for PS3 to really copy either. I had a PS2 and loved it, but I (as some may say) betrayed it for 360. With Halo 3, Gears, Mass Effect, and so many more coming out to 360 and only 360 I couldn't resist. I got a refurbished one for $160 and a used 120 GB hard drive for $100. $30 got me a remote, battery charger, cooling fan (buy-buy red rings) and HDMI cable. That's $290 for everything compared to $400 for PS3. Even though Ps3 online is free, Live is so much better it's worth the $4.17 a month. Considering all my friends have one I knew it was the best choice and I still believe it. I hope the Ps3 can pick up the pace, but with only 3 games I'm interested in that can only be seen on PS3 (and 1 of those is only a slight interest), the army of 360 games trounces it in every meaningful way. Blu-Ray and free online are the only things it has going for it. Considering it's 2 years old, this is NOT good.
lowglow (2:22 PM on Fri Aug 28, 2009)
I've never understood the whole fanboy phenomenon. In my mind, a true gamer is all about playing great games, the platform being irrelevant. If I could own every system (and game) ever sold, I'd be really content. Occasionally (and with great fondness) I still ask my Sony Bravia to hook up with my Megadrive (Genesis), original XBOX, Dreamcast (I have two, don't know why), Gamecube or even my original Atari for a game of Asteroids (Getting an original Atari to talk to a Bravia isn't easy). Sadly my Commodore64 has passed, though I would love another go at IK+, The Last Ninja , Iridium or International Soccer. I'm not old school though. I love Killzone2, Halo3, etc. etc. but I really don't care what I play it on. Of course, there are differences. The Xbox360... controller is better for FPS shooters than PS3, but so what? PS3 has its strengths, too. Play the game, not the platform.
manel lachmaiya
(10:49 AM on Tue Feb 2, 2010)
ahaha i got wii, 360... and PS3 ye boiii!!!! Have the best of all 3 worlds suckaz mwahaha